Sooner or later or now, you are going to experience an issue with your glove box on R50/R52/R53 MINIs.
My glove box latch became loose and mid-aligned making it difficult to close and stay shut. Upon taking the door apart which is epoxied in several spots, I found the latch mechanism mount broken.
No problem I thought, I’ll buy a new door assembly.
WRONG! To my dismay, the glove box is only available as an entire assembly for approximately $360.
No problem I thought, I’ll go to a wrecking yard and buy a used one.
WRONG! To my dismay and after buying three different glove box doors with cleaning, all had texture/paint damage.
Also I learned that 2002-2004 MINIs didn’t have a lock. So my 06 R53 needed a glove box door off a 2005-2006 R50/R53 or 2005-2008 R52. Also, if I did find a used one at the wrecking yard, I needed the donor MINI key to remove the lock cylinder so that I could install mine.

So I bite the bullet and bought a NEW glove box assembly from WMW. By the way, the assembly doesn’t come with the light or air control! Good thing that I didn’t throw the old one away!

 

And the plastic clip that secures the lid also tend to have issues too!

 

How difficult was it to separate the lid/cover without damage?
Any tools you used to persuade them apart?
Did you notice any way to pull the lock cylinder?

 

To separate the lid/cover, I used a plastic body trim tool. Started at edges to separate slightly and then grasp with fingers to split apart. Took quite a bit of pressure to the point of breaking you think but will release.
To removed the lock cylinder, you insert the key and rotate it to approximately the 11:00 clock position. Remove key and lock cylinder together.

 

Glove box lock removal

It is easy to remove the lock. Insert key and turn to a position half-way between locked and unlocked. Now the lock barrel can simply be pulled out.

 

Wow it's nice to know you can do that.
Mine is not broken yet but has significant play. Since you say it's possible to open it without damage, I might try to open it to see what's up and maybe strengthen it however I can.

I wonder it some JB Weld or some other type of glue could be used to glue back the broken pieces, provided you didn't loose the parts.

 

Yes, I believe one of the JB Weld plastic bond should work. Be aware the two pieces are epoxied in approximately 36 spots.

 

Wait, I think I misunderstood your previous comment. You replied to Here2Go who asked if it was possible to separate the parts without damage that yes you can do that.

But those photos and your explanation shows that you can't: you have to break epoxy bond (rather than detach clips, what I initially thought I understood) that have to be re-glued together afterwards, right?

That does not qualify as "without damage" in my books, though it's definitely something worth trying when you have a broken latch. On the other hand, that's not something I'll attempt as long as it's in a "not yet broken" state.

 

I apologize for any confusion. I definitely agree that I would not attempt to separate the door pieces unless absolutely necessary. I was just trying to show that it’s possible, the poor design, and alternative repair options.

 

Firstly - Thanks for the info and the pics guys!
My current 20y/o glove box is in near perfect condition. Both cosmetically and functionally. No real need to replace it. But I've always wanted a glove box I could secure (lock) and wondered why they all didn't come with a lock back then?
Perhaps a factory/dealer option?

I had finally scored a locking glove box at a salvage yard in mint condition from an 05 R52 a few months back. Unfortunately I could never figure out how to pull the lock assembly out so I can re-pin the tumbler to match my key.
I've read about how to remove the lock assembly (months ago) just as you had described; e.g: by inserting the key, turning it to 11oclock and pulling smartly and the lock assembly will come out. Oddly - This didn't work for this particular glove box.
I've must have tried 20+ times without success. It is in way too nice of condition to risk damage. However, during my last few attempts - I found that by inserting my key about 3/4 of the way into the lock, the key actually turns and works to lock and unlock it flawlessly.
:
Since that time; I've easily pulled 2wo lock cylinders from other R52's at a salvage yard using the very method you've mentioned. [For some reason, as I stated above; this still doesn't work for the aforementioned locking glove box I'd scored.]
I have disassembled both those cylinders to discover the tumblers only have 4 pins opposed to the 8 that the door and ignition have. That being said, I have a couple of door locks that I'd pulled from a few salvage yard Minis. I disassembled them, pulled the correlating numbered pins that match my key and re-keyed those glove box cylinders to work with my original key. I just wish I could transfer either of these re-keyed cylinders into that glove box. The only way I can see is to split the cover to gain access and remove the lock from the inside.

There are 2wo other R52's (that I know of) at a salvage yard that also have locking glove boxes. It's been months but If the locking glove box handles haven't (yet) been destroyed, I'll give your method at separating the cover(s) a shot to see if I can do it without damage.